Hand brake mechanism

ABSTRACT

A high power hand brake mechanism having an operating spindle, a winding drum unit, an intermediate control shaft, means for coupling the control shaft to the operating spindle, and means for coupling the winding drum unit to the control shaft.

ite States atent [191 La I [ 7 HAND BRAKE MECHANISM [75] Inventor: [73]Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc., Chicago, Ill. [22] Filed: July 31,1972 [21'] Appl. No.: 276,747

Laurence T. La Belle, Dunedin, Fla.

[52] US. Cl. 741/505 51 rm. cu G05g 1/08 [58] Field of Search 74/505,506, 507, 509; 64/27 R [56] I References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS3,453,902 7/1969 La Belle 74/505 1,065,736 6/1913 Simmons 64/27 R Apr.16, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 648,394 9/1962 Canada 74/505Primary Examiner-Leonard I-I. Gerin Assistant Examiner-Frank H,McKenzie, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Johnson, Dienner, Emrich, Verbeck& Wagner [5 7] ABSTRACT A high power hand brake mechanism having anoperating spindle, a winding drum unit, an intermediate control shaft,means for coupling the control shaft to the operating spindle, and meansfor coupling the winding drum unit to the control shaft.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HAND BRAKE MECHANISM FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to hand brakes for railway carsand more particularly to operating or control mechanism for high powerhand brakes wherein an effective brake applying force in excess of 6000pounds is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hand brake mechanism of the presentinvention includes an operating shaft rotatable by a hand wheel, awinding drum unit upon which brake chain is adapted to be wound, and anintermediate control shaft having a threaded portion.

Mounted on or carried by the control shaft are a lock ring gear, a lockring clutch flange, a threaded lock ring which has a floatinginterconnection with the lock ring gear, a ratchet wheel intermediatethe lock ring clutch flange-and the lock ring, andpawl means havingengagement with the ratchet wheel. The lock ring gear is coupled to theoperating spindle, and means are provided for coupling the winding drumunit tothe control shaft.

Rotation of the operating spindle in one direction effects rotation ofthe lock ring gear, threaded axial movement of the lock ring toward the.lock ring clutch, clutching of the ratchet wheel between the lock ringclutch and the lock ring, and, consequently, rotation of the windingdrum unit in a winding direction. During stepwise rotation of theoperating spindle in the other direction, the ratchet wheel isalternately unclutched and clutched to thereby permit slow unwinding ofthe brake chain and release of the brakes without spin of the operatingspindle and hand wheel.

The coupling means between the control shaft and i the winding drum unitcomprises a pinion rotatably mounted on the shaft and anaxially'shiftable jaw clutch keyed to the shaft and selectivelyengageable with the pinion. Operating means are provided for disengagingthe jaw clutch from the pinion whereupon the pinion is free to rotaterelative to the shaft for quick unwinding of the brake chain from thewinding drum unit without BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is afront elevational view of the hand brake mechanism of the presentinvention, with a portion of the hand wheel being broken away forconvenience;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially along the'line2-2 in FIG. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, corresponding to the upper,portion of FIG. 2, and illustrates the mechanism in a quick brakerelease position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 44 inFIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Y

FIG. Sis an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken substantiallyalong the line 5-5 in FIG. ll, look-' ing in the direction indicated bythearrows; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken substantially along theline 66 in FIG. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2,a hand brake mechanism incorporating the principles of the presentinvention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The handbrake mechanism 10 includes a housing 12 comprised of a front casing 14suitably secured to a vertical base plate 16 adapted to be mounted tothe end wall of a railway car body. The casing 14 is formed with acut-out or opening 18 at its lower end.

Rotatably mounted in the housing 12 on vertically aligned horizontalaxes are an upper operating spindle unit 20, an intermediate controlshaft assembly 22, and a lower winding drum unit 24.

The operating spindle unit 20 comprises an operating spindle 26 whichmay be fabricated either in two sections and interconnected as shown, orin one piece if desired. The rear end of the operating spindle 26 has asteel bushing 28 press fitted thereon which is journaled in a lubricatedsleeve bushing 30 press fitted in a cup-shaped retainer 32 secured inthe base plate 16; the intermediate body portion of the spindle 26 isjournaled in a lubricated flanged bushing 34 secured in the front casing14; and the forward end portion of the spindle 26, which extendsoutwardly of the housing 12, has suitably secured thereon a hand wheelassembly 36. Formed integrally with the operating spindle 26 forrotation therewith is a pinion 38. If desired, the pinion 38 may befabricated as a separate part and suitably secured to the operatingspindle 26.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control shaft assembly 22 includes ashaft 40 which comprises a rear end portion 42, a rear body portion 44having radial ear portions 46, an intermediate flange or lock ringclutch 48, a forward threaded body portion 50, and a forward end portion52. The rear end portion 42 of the shaft 40 has a steel bushing 54 pressfitted thereon which is journaled in a lubricated sleeve bushing 56press fitted in a cup-shaped retainer 58 secured in the base plate 16;while the forward end portion 52 of the shaft 40 has a steel bushing 60press fitted thereon which is journaled in a lubricated sleeve bushing62 press fitted in the front casing 14. V

Rotatably mounted on the rear end portion 42 of the shaft 40 is a pinion64 having a forward shoulder portion 66 which is formed with radial earportions 68 (FIG. 6) corresponding to the ear portions 46 of the rearbody portion 44 of the shaft 40. Slidably mounted on or keyed to therear body portion 44 of the shaft 40 is an axially shiftable jaw clutchmember 70 having interior recesses 72 (FIG. 6) adapted to conformablymate with the shaft'ear portions 46 (FIG. 3) and the pinion ear portions68 (FIG. 6). A coil spring 74 is interposed between the lock ring clutchflange 48 and the jaw clutch member 70 for normally biasing the latterto the position shown in FIG. 2 whereby the pinion 64 is clutched to theshaft 40 for rotation therewith.

Rotatably mounted concentric of the forward threaded body portion 50 ofthe shaft 40 is the flange portion 76 of a ratchet wheel 78; andthreaded on the body portion 50 is a lock ring 80 having axiallyforwardly projecting arm members 82. Interposed between the adjacentfaces of the lock ring clutch 48 and the ratchet wheel 78 is a frictiondisc 84, and interposed between the adjacent faces of the ratchet wheel78 and the lock ring 80 is a friction disc 86. Mounted on the forwardend portion 52 of the shaft 40 is a lock ring gear 88 which has constantmeshing engagement with the operating spindle pinion 38. As shown inFIG. 4, the gear 88 is formed with axial openings 90 which receive theaxial arm members 82 of the lock ring 80. This arrangement provides afloating interconnection between the lock ring 80 and the lock ring gear88 and accommodates axial movement of the ring 80 relative to the gear88. The hub of the lock ring gear 88 is formed with interior arcuaterecesses 92, and a pin member 94 is disposed transversely through theshaft portion 52 with the end portions thereof projecting into thearcuate recesses 92 whereby to limit relative rotation between thecontrol shaft 40 and the lock ring gear 88.

Operating means for the jaw clutch member 70, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and5, comprises a secondary spindle 96 which is located intermediate of theoperating spindle 26 and the control shaft 40 transversely of thelatter, and which is journaledat its ends in bosses 98 formed at thesides of the front casing 14. Secured to the secondary spindle 96 is arelease fork 100 having an upper flat 102 and depending arms 104engageable at their lower ends with the rear face of the jaw clutchmember 70. Located immediately above the secondary spindle 96 on oneside of the operating spindle 26 is a cam shaft 106 having a cam portion108 engageable with the upper flat 102 of the release fork 100. The rearend of the cam shaft 106 is journaled in the base plate 16, while theforward end of the cam shaft 106 is journaled in the front casing 14 andextends outwardly thereof. A release lever 1 is secured to the outerforward end of the cam shaft 106, and is provided with a flange section112 that normally engages the outer side of the front casing 14 (FIG.1). Associated with the ratchet wheel 78, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, isan upwardly extending pivotally mounted pawl 114 having a tooth portion116. Interposed between the side of the front casing 14 and the pawl 114is a coil spring 118 which serves to bias the pawl tooth portion 116into engagement with the ratchet wheel 78.

The winding drum unit 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is comprised of ahub or drum portion 120, and a spur gear portion 122 which has meshingengagement with the pinion 64 mounted on the control shaft 42. The rearend of the unit 24 has a steel bushing 124 press fitted thereon which isjournaled in a lubricated sleeve bushing 126 press fitted in acup-shaped retainer 128 secured in the base plate 16; correspondingly,the forward end of the unit 24 has a steel bushing 130 press fittedthereon which is journaled in a lubricated sleeve bushing 132 pressfitted in the front casing 14. Extending axially and arcuately from.thespur gear portion 122, and radially spaced from thedrum portion 120, isa cam ramp sector 134. One end of the brake chain 136 is connected tothe winding drum unit 24 by means of a removable pin member 138extending radially between the cam sector 134 and the drum portion 120.The other end of the chain 136 is connected in the usual manner to thebraking system of a railway car.

When the parts occupy the several positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, themechanism is conditioned for winding to set the brakes. To effect brakesetting the hand wheel 36 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG.

l, and the operating spindle 26 and the pinion 38 are therebycorrespondingly rotated. Clockwise rotation of the pinion 38 effectscounterclockwise rotation of the lock ring gear 88. When the sides ofthe lock ring gear 5 openings 90 engage the lock ring arm members 82,the lock ring 80 is moved rearwardly or to the left, as viewed in FIG.2, by reason of the threaded interconnection with the control shaft 42,and the ratchet wheel 78 is clutched or clamped between the lock ring 80and the lock ring clutch 48. Thereafter, the control shaft 42, the jawclutch member 70, and the pinion 64 are caused to rotate with the lockring gear 88.

Upon counterclockwise rotation of the pinion 64, the gear 122 is rotatedclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 4, and the chain 136 is wound around thedrum 120 to set the brakes. During winding operation, the cam ramp 134serves to guide the chain 136 axially forwardly over the drum 120 tospace the chain along the drum. Also, during the winding operation, thepawl tooth 116 n'des over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 78 and preventsunwinding of the chain 136 while the brakeman shifts his grip on thehand wheel 36.

To release the brakes slowly, the hand wheel 36 is rotated a shortdistance counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1. The operating spindle 26and the pinion 38 are thereby correspondingly rotated counterclockwise,while the lock ring gear 88 is rotated clockwise. The ratchet wheel 78is prevented from rotating clockwise with the lock ring gear 88 byreason of the pawl 114. As the sides of the lock ring gear openings 90engage the lock ring arm members 82, the lock ring 80 is threadedforwardly on the control shaft 42 thereby momentarily unclutching orunclamping the ratchet wheel 78 whereby the lock ring clutch 48 isreleased for limited rotation to permit limited unwinding of the chain136. As the lock ring clutch 48 rotates and catches up with the lockring 80, the lock ring 80 is threaded rearwardly on the control shaft42, and the ratchet wheel 78 is again clutched or clamped between thelock ring 80 and the lock ring clutch 48 to stop unwinding. When thehand wheel 36 is rotated another short distance counterclockwise, theforegoing procedure is repeated. By successively rotating the hand wheel36 counterclockwise in incremental steps, the brakes may be slowlyreleased, without spin of the hand wheel until the point of full releaseis reached.

To release the brakes quickly, the handle 110 is swung upwardly from theposition shown in FIG. 1 for rotating the cam shaft 106. In this manner,the high point of the cam 108 is rotated against the flat 102 of therelease fork 100 and the latter is pivoted counterclockwise from theposition shown in FIG. 2 to the postion shown in FIG. 3. The jaw clutchmember 70 is thus moved to the right from the position shown in FIG. 2to the position shown in FIG. 3 and disengaged from the pinion earportions 68 whereupon the pinion 64 is released for free rotation topermit quick rotation of the winding drum unit 24 without spin of theoperating spindle 26 and hand wheel 36.

The mechanism may be restored to brake setting position by returning thehandle 110 to the position shown in FIG. 1 with the flange 112 thereonin engagement with the side of the front casing 14. During returnmovement of the handle 110, the cam shaft 106 is rotated and the highpoint of the cam 108 is moved away from the flat 102 of the release fork100. At the same time, the spring 74 returns the jaw clutch member 70and the release fork 100 to the position shown in FIG. 2 whereupon thepinion 64 is againclutched to the control shaft 40. Slight rotation ofthe hand wheel 36 may be necessary to secure engagement of the pinionear portions 68 with the jaw clutch recesses 72.

While there has been shown and described what is believed to be apreferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various rearrangements and modificationsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a hand brake mechanism having a housing, the combination of anoperating spindle rotatably mounted in the housing, a shaft rotatablymounted in the housing and having a threaded portion, a lock ring gearmounted on said shaft, first means coupling said lock ring gear to saidoperating spindle, a lock ring clutch element on and rotatable with saidshaft and having a friction face, a lock ring threaded on said threadedportion of said shaft and having a friction clutch face, a floatinginterconnection between said lock ring and said lock ring gear foraccommodating axial movement of said lock ring relative to said lockring gear, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted concentric of said shaftbetween said friction clut'ch faces of said-lock ring clutch element andsaid lock ring, pawl means mounted in the housing and having engagementwith said ratchet wheel, said ratchet wheel being clutched to said shaftupon relative rotation between said shaft and said lock' ring in onedirection, a winding drum unit rotatably mounted in the housing, andsecond means selectively coupling said winding drum unit to said shaft.

2. The combination of claim 1 including interior arcuate recesses formedin said lock ring gear, and a pin member disposed transversely throughsaid shaft with theend portions thereof projecting into said arcuaterecesseswhereby to limit relative rotation between said shaft and saidlock ring gear.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said floating interconnectioncomprises axial openings formed in said lock ring gear, and axial armmembers formed on said lock ring and extending into said axial openingsof said lock ring gear.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first coupling meanscomprises a pinion on said operating spindle and being rotatabletherewith and having meshing engagement with said lock ring gear.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second coupling meanscomprises a pinion rotatably mounted on said shaft and having meshingengagement with said winding drum unit, an axially shiftable jaw clutchelement keyed to said shaft and being selectively engageable with saidpinion, and operating means for moving said jaw clutch element axiallyto disengage the latter from said pinion.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said operating means comprises asecondary spindle rotatably mounted in the housing above said shaft andhaving a cam portion thereon, a release fork pivotally supported in thehousing and being engageable by said cam portion, and said release forkhaving depending arms engageab le with said jaw clutch element fordisengaging the latter from said pinion upon rotation of said secondaryspindle and said cam portion thereon.

1. In a hand brake mechanism having a housing, the combination of an operating spindle rotatably mounted in the housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and having a threaded portion, a lock ring gear mounted on said shaft, first means coupling said lock ring gear to said operating spindle, a lock ring clutch element on and rotatable with said shaft and having a friction face, a lock ring threaded on said threaded portion of said shaft and having a friction clutch face, a floating interconnection between said lock ring and said lock ring gear for accommodating axial movement of said lock ring relative to said lock ring gear, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted concentric of said shaft between said friction clutch faces of said lock ring clutch element and said lock ring, pawl means mounted in the housing and having engagement with said ratchet wheel, said ratchet wheel being clutched to said shaft upon relative rotation between said shaft and said lock ring in one direction, a winding drum unit rotatably mounted in the housing, and second means selectively coupLing said winding drum unit to said shaft.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including interior arcuate recesses formed in said lock ring gear, and a pin member disposed transversely through said shaft with the end portions thereof projecting into said arcuate recesses whereby to limit relative rotation between said shaft and said lock ring gear.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said floating interconnection comprises axial openings formed in said lock ring gear, and axial arm members formed on said lock ring and extending into said axial openings of said lock ring gear.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first coupling means comprises a pinion on said operating spindle and being rotatable therewith and having meshing engagement with said lock ring gear.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second coupling means comprises a pinion rotatably mounted on said shaft and having meshing engagement with said winding drum unit, an axially shiftable jaw clutch element keyed to said shaft and being selectively engageable with said pinion, and operating means for moving said jaw clutch element axially to disengage the latter from said pinion.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said operating means comprises a secondary spindle rotatably mounted in the housing above said shaft and having a cam portion thereon, a release fork pivotally supported in the housing and being engageable by said cam portion, and said release fork having depending arms engageable with said jaw clutch element for disengaging the latter from said pinion upon rotation of said secondary spindle and said cam portion thereon. 